POCO, the popular smartphone brand, is gearing up to expand its budget-friendly M-series in India with the imminent launch of the Poco M8 5G. The company has officially begun teasing the device through a campaign tagged 'Designed to Slay,' building anticipation among its customer base. A dedicated microsite for the phone is already live on Flipkart, confirming its exclusive availability on the e-commerce platform upon release.
Design and Initial Teasers
While Poco has not announced a concrete launch date, it has shared a teaser video ending with a 'coming soon' message. The video offers a clear glimpse of the phone's design, which appears to follow a familiar Poco aesthetic. The Poco M8 5G showcases a dual-tone finish, a design language previously seen on models like the Poco X7 series. It features a squarish camera module on the rear and rounded edges.
This design bears a strong resemblance to the upcoming Redmi Note 15, which is also scheduled for an Indian debut soon. Historically, Poco has often rebranded successful Xiaomi/Redmi devices for the Indian market, and the M8 5G could follow that same strategy. Beyond the design, the brand has kept official specifications under wraps.
Leaked Specifications and Features of Poco M8 5G
However, several key details about the Poco M8 5G have surfaced through previous leaks. The phone is expected to launch in three colour variants in India and sport a dual-camera setup on the back.
According to leaks, the device is likely to boast a 6.77-inch Full HD+ display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it could be powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. A major highlight appears to be a large 5,520mAh battery with support for 45W wired fast charging.
For durability, the M8 5G might carry an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance. This means the phone should be able to handle splashes and light rain but is not designed for submersion in water.
What About the Poco M8 Pro?
In related news, tipster Sudhanshu Ambhore has also leaked specifications for a potential higher-end model, the Poco M8 Pro. As per the leak, the Pro variant could be equipped with a more powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor.
It is tipped to feature a premium 6.83-inch Quad curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and protection from Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. For photography, it may house a 50MP primary camera accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, along with a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies.
The Poco M8 Pro could run on HyperOS 2 based on Android 15 and offer a higher IP68 water and dust resistance rating. Additional features might include an optical fingerprint scanner, an IR blaster, and Bluetooth version 5.4. It's important to note that these Pro specifications are based on leaks and not yet confirmed by Poco.
Expected Launch Timeline and Availability
There is no official confirmation on the launch date for the Poco M8 5G. However, given that the teaser campaign has started towards the end of the month, industry observers speculate that the phone could make its debut in mid-January or early February 2025. The confirmed availability on Flipkart suggests a major online sales event might coincide with its launch.
With its focus on a high-refresh-rate display, large battery with fast charging, and a potential IP rating, the Poco M8 5G seems poised to be a strong contender in the competitive budget 5G smartphone segment in India. All eyes are now on Poco to announce the final details, pricing, and availability.